Bungoma gets Level VI hospital after Cabinet approval

The residents of Bungoma and the larger Western Kenya region have a reason to smile after the Cabinet approved the construction of a Level VI hospital in the border county.

In a statement released on Tuesday, April 29 after a Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto, the government said that the decision was in line with its focus on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The Level VI hospital will be constructed in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB).

“In line with the government’s focus on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and improving access to quality healthcare, especially in undeserved regions, Cabinet approved the construction of two Level VI teaching and referral hospitals in Bungoma and Kericho counties in partnership with the African Development Bank,” the Cabinet statement read.

Level 6 hospitals in Kenya provide the highest level of medical services not offered at the lower level facilities.

These hospitals provide advanced and specialised services beyond those available at lower-level facilities and having one in Bungoma is a big relief for the region’s residents who are forced to travel for long distances to get such services.

Patients from the former Western Province have to travel to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret or Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi.

This comes barely a fortnight after Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka inspected the ongoing construction of the Sh82 million Modern Outpatient Complex at Webuye County Hospital.

The two-storey facility, designed to boost healthcare delivery in the county, will house key departments, including an emergency unit, CT scan services, a doctors’ plaza, and other specialized amenities.

Speaking during the site visit, Governor Lusaka expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress, noting that the state-of-the-art complex will eliminate the need for patients to seek treatment outside the county.

“This facility will be a game changer for our people. It will not only reduce congestion but also ensure that our residents can access specialized services closer to home,” Lusaka said then.

Governor Lusaka has been on several occasions, lobbying for more development projects to be established in Bungoma and has constantly reminded President William Ruto of his promise to the residents of the region.

Already, through Lusaka’s lobbying, several projects have been commissioned, launched and others given a boost.

Lusaka has established himself as the most trusted ally of the President from the Mulembe Nation and has represented the Head of State in many high level events and the friendship seems to be bearing fruits.